Habitual Reader Profiles - Page 1

<< back next >>

	Name: Brett Smith
	City & State: Petaluma, California
	Vocation / Avocation: Firefighter Paramedic

Why I'm a Habitual Reader:

The fact is, growing up I was a habitual non-reader. I was born with dyslexia and was functionally illiterate until the fifth grade when, through the very patient teachings of a wonderful special education teacher in the Chicago public school system named Mrs. Wolfe, I "got it." Once the door was opened I was reluctant to enter the world of books but through the help of authors like Edward Stratemeyer (The Hardy Boys series) and Robert E. Howards (The Conan the Barbarian series) my imagination was charged and I eventually began reading voluntarily and eventually voraciously. Oddly enough my love for books pushed me into a Bachelor's degree in English and American Literature from U.C. Santa Cruz. After college my reading habits fell off as I was working 6 and 7 days a week to make ends meet and was just too tired. However, I eventually found the best job on the planet (firefighter) and since our work schedule is 48 hours on duty 96 hours off duty I suddenly found myself a captive of the Firehouse with nothing to do between calls, training and public service duties. I also have the pleasure of working with 2 other lifetime readers and we enjoy trading books and discussing them on duty. I began to read entire series and complete works, picking one author and reading everything I could find from them. While I must admit I do enjoy the guilty pleasures of Steven King my tastes have matured and I enjoy such authors as Toni Morrison, Alexandre Dumas, Stephen Ambrose, Patrick O'Brian and yes even Shakespeare.

My List of Ten: Top Ten Books To Hook You On An Author

1. Rise To Rebellion
Author: Jeff Shaara

2. Coyote Blue
Author: Christopher Moore

3. Tapping the Source
Author: Kem Nunn

4. Master and Commander
Author: Patrick O'Brian

5. Gates of Fire
Author: Steven Pressfield

6. Song of Solomon
Author: Toni Morrison

7. Band of Brothers
Author: Stephen E. Ambrose

8. The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexandre Dumas

9. The Death of Artemio Cruz
Author: Carlos Fuentes

10. Red Storm Rising
Author: Tom Clancy

Have you read any of these titles? Review one now.

back to the top